WEEKLY REPORT.

WEEKLY REPORT FOR JULY 8-14

NIGERIA

Boko Haram attacks and military responses continued with an attempted suicide bombing attack at a mosque in the Damboa area of Borno state on July 8. The bomber killed only himself after he was prevented from gaining entry by security guards. The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) continued the air component of Operation Lafiya Dole, carrying out air strikes and increasing pressures on a Boko Haram throughout northern Borno. This occurred in conjunction with ground force operations on June 10 that reportedly killed 16 Boko Haram members after a failed attack on a military base. Yobe Governor Ibrahim Geidam stated that the state government has commenced the process of returning over 300,000 displaced persons to communities formerly held by Boko Haram insurgents, a sign that parts of Yobe are becoming more secure and normalcy is returning to the area.

On June 25, multiple media reports from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) indicate that “there are no fewer than 1,200 graves in Bama, Borno State, including 480 which was said to contain children.”

On 26 June it was reported that Troops of 21 Brigade and Civilian JTF conducted a joint patrol to Zangebe, Maiwa, Algaiti and Mainari villages during which they killed 6 Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others. The troops also claim to have liberated over 5,000 persons held hostage in these villages, recovered 5 motorcycles and a similar number of bicycles. There was also report on the same day that two suicide bombers attacked two separate areas of Maiduguri, killing an unknown number of civilians. Many view this attack as a horrible incident, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

On June 17, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reportedly stated that the government is focused on the North East and stated that rebuilding the region is of paramount concern. A delegation from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency stated that Japan would contribute to the government’s efforts. The Nigerian Air Force launched the second phase of its operation in the counter terrorism war with focus on the northern axis of Borno State. The operation, tagged “Operation Gama Aiki,” is meant to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from the area, notorious as a major stronghold of the outlawed group. Additionally, counter-Boko Haram efforts continued with two suicide bombers being killed by members of the CJTF in the Kusari area near CBN Staff Quarters in Maiduguri.

Weekly Report for 11th – 20th June Report , NigeriaA review of media reports on the 11th of June revealed several deaths of Boko Haram members according to a statement credited to Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Ag Director of the army public relations. The incident happened during a clearance operation against Boko Haram in Chukungudu and Hausari villages in Gamboru Ngala local government area on Friday, June 10.

In another incident, fourteen Boko Haram gunmen on seven motorcycles stormed Mairari village, 80 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital and picked four women (aged between 27 and 45) from their homes and slit their throats.
Perhaps one story that dominated the media headlines on the 13th and that will continue to generate discussion for a long time to come was the sacking of 38 soldiers, who were mainly senior officers.

They were allegedly shown the way out haven being found guilty for violating different service rules. They were mainly Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and one Major. As humanitarian issue worsens in Nigeria and neighboring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon; Nigeria is said to had agreed to Cameroon’s voluntary return of 80,000 Nigerian refugees who have fled the Boko Haram Islamic insurgency. This is coming on the heels of Cameroon’s threat to forcefully repatriation Nigeria’s displaced by Boko Haram into its territory. Meanwhile, Nigeria is also grappling with humanitarian crisis in most of its north east, especially the hinterlands of Borno State. Sixty-one malnourished infants were hospitalized on the orders of Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima. This followed relocated 478 children and 219 adults, all of them malnourished due to two years captivity in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents before they were rescued by the Nigerian Military.

They affected people were moved from Bama to a special care unit in Maiduguri. Downside the Niger Delta, a new militant group called (include the name please) that vowed to launch six missiles in the region and to lock down Nigeria’s airspace have resolved to do otherwise after the federal government proposed talks. Meanwhile, the group said government would have to follow its demand if it wants the peace to be continued. Meanwhile, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had announced the setup of the team for the talks with Federal government over the crisis in the Niger Delta. This was allegedly confirmed by Jomo Gbomo, the spokesperson of the group, noting that there have been useful preliminary talks held with high-ranking officials of the incumbent government. Among the several militant groups in the region, there are ranging mutual suspicions over the demands by some groups whom are alleged to be surrogates politicians in the region.

As the talks of dialogue ranges, the Niger Delta Avengers one of the militant groups has called for foreign mediators to foster talks with the government in order to end conflict in the oil rich region according to media reports on the 14th. In Borno State, at least four people were killed, three women kidnapped and several houses set ablaze by Boko Haram in the town of Kautuva near Chibok where the group kidnapped more than 200 girls that spark global outrange two years ago. The Nigeria Army in in Banki axis of Sambisa forest killed six Boko Haram fighters who attempted to attack them, recovering 1 Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle with registration number 167229, two belts of 148 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 1 FN rifle magazine loaded with 7.62mm ammunition (Special). The troops also blew up 3 Vehicles laden with Improvised Explosives Device (VBIEDs).

On the 15th, a group of 43 men, women and children allegedly escaped from Boko Haram captivity in Madube, Borno State where they were being held. Also, the Nigerian army intercepted 14 internally displaced persons during a separate patrol in the same region. The Hausa service of the Voice of America Residents in Tolkomari, which is in the far northern part of Cameroon, have confirmed receiving broadcast messages from the Boko Haram has established a radio FM station, according to a report monitored sect via the radio station on 96.8 frequency modulation. The VoA report said the station broadcast mainly propaganda materials to counter media reports of victories by troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic against the Boko Haram militants”. However, Six Boko Haram insurgents were killed, while several others fled with injuries sustained from gunshots, as soldiers of the 7 Division Nigeria Army stepped up offensive in the ongoing Operation Crackdown’ counterinsurgency in parts of the volatile northeast Nigeria. Unfortunately, reports have alleged deteriorating humanitarian condition in the north east. In other compel the Federal Government to act, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects (SERAP) has dragged the federal government to court over the neglect of internally displaced persons. The humanitarian situation in Borno State is really bad with an appalling number of deaths on daily basis. As the tension in the Niger Delta and north east bruise, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the adoption of maneuvering approach to prevent further rain of violence.

Media reports on the 16th had claims and counter claims on both sides of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and the Nigeria Police Command in Akwa Ibom over alleged bombing of oil installation the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline located in Oruk Anam local government area of the state. IN the north east, the Nigerian Air Force announced plans to deploy more troops to the Northeast to strengthen the Nigerian Army in the fight against insurgency in the region. Similarly, the Nigeria army has confirmed it has over 700 Boko Harm fighters who willing surrendered in its custody. Notwithstanding, Boko Haram remain active in the north east as its shot dead 18 women during a funeral in Kuda in Adamawa state, rampaging through a village, setting houses on fire and shooting at random, according to witnesses and local government officials.

Rescue

CJTF death

injuries

civilian death

injuries

soldier death

injuries

terrorist death

loses

Surrender

Arrest

6

22

12

700

89

These are some of the links for more info on these reports;
https://www.naij.com/856995-see-soldiers-found-engaged-retreating-boko-haram-terrorists-photos.html

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/17/world/social-issues-world/food-safety-elude-nigerians-fled-boko-haram-attack/#.V2PoTfkrLNN
Mali
June marks the anniversary of the peace deal between government in Bamako and several militia groups in northern Mali. The peace process is still on hold as violence continues unabated. On the 11th, a Malian pro-government militia killed eight Islamist fighters in a gun battle in northern Mali. Clashes happened between a militia group and the Macina Liberation Front in Gourma-Rharous village, in the Timbuktu region of Mali which has long been plagued by Islamist militants. Also, “a crate containing hundreds of pieces of ammunition went missing during an Air France flight taken by German soldiers to Mali. The German troops left Berlin for Bamako on May 28 aboard a commercial Air France flight that stopped in Paris.
Media report on the 12th says fighting over the past four years has killed hundreds of people in Mali. As the war continues, Mali is alleged to be having over 250,000 unaccompanied children according to the United Nations.
On the 14th, Franc defense ministry condemned the duplicity of Supreme Council for Azawad Unity (HCUA), one of the main rebel groups that signed Mali peace agreement last year.
On the 15th, Malian government together with rebels and armed groups reached a consensus on the establishment of interim authorities for the northern parts of the country. The agreement reached will see interim leaders assume administrative roles over the regions. The interim government will be in place in local authorities of the five administrative regions of northern Mali, members of the interim authority will be appointed by consensus both from government and locals. The rebels have insisted on self-administration of the region, failing to sign the final part of the peace agreement in 2015 but in a drastic turn, the rebels have acceded to government demand to jointly manage the administrative regions in the north.
Following the peace agreement, on the 16th, Mali’s prime minister urged the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against anyone blocking a year-old peace deal and to strengthen the peacekeeping mission after a spate of attacks. Prime Minister Modibo Keita warned of deteriorating security on the ground after 28 peacekeepers were killed in attacks 2016 alone in Mali, making it the deadliest UN mission in the world.
On the 17th, an online monitor of jihadi groups says al-Qaida’s North Africa wing has released a new video of a Swiss woman taken hostage in Mali in January. In the video flagged by SITE Intelligence Group and posted on social media, Swiss national Beatrice Stockly noted and said she could not bear too much heat, but was well. The video from al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb did not appear to make any new demands. The group has previously demanded the release of fighters imprisoned in Mali and Niger in exchange for Stockly’s release.

On August 19, the United Nations warned that Nigeria's economic slowdown, compounded by Boko Haram attacks could mean 5.5 million people are in ... It further expressed concern that many of the persons affected by terrorist attack had been out of reach of humanitarian help for months or years.

Troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east have been instructed to take the battle to the terrorist group without violation of human rights. Addressing the troops of the counter-insurgency operation in the North-east, the newly appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major ...